Political Platform: Conor McGuinness TD

Conor McGuinness was first elected as a Sinn Féin TD in November 2024 having previously served on Waterford City and County Council since 2019. He is the party’s spokesperson on rural affairs, community development and Gaeltacht, and is Cathaoirleach of the Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. McGuinness, a former Dungarvan trade union activist, outlines his political journey to eolas Magazine.

What inspired you to get into politics?

I became involved in politics from a very young age. I joined my Sinn Féin local cumann at 15 because I have always believed in the huge, transformative potential that a united Ireland can offer our people. Irish republicanism shaped my worldview from early on, and the US and British invasion of Iraq was a seminal moment in my political development. It sharpened my sense of international justice and deepened my belief that Ireland must have an independent, principled voice on the world stage.

The Irish language has also been central to my political identity. I grew up with a strong connection to our culture, and that connection reinforced my commitment to building a republic rooted in equality, dignity, community, and national self-determination.

Trade unionism played a major part too. I became active in the movement in my teens, and those early experiences taught me the power of collective organisation and the importance of standing up for workers and communities whose voices are too often ignored.

What has been your proudest achievement in politics?

Being elected to the Dáil last year [2024] was an enormously proud moment for me personally, for Sinn Féin in Waterford, and for the people who put their trust in us. Winning two of the four seats was a major achievement for our party locally.

Every day, I feel the responsibility and honour that comes with the job. Walking through the gates of Leinster House and seeing our national flag above our parliament is a constant reminder of the trust the people of Waterford placed in me. I will always be grateful to everyone who supported me, to my campaign team and especially to my family. Their support is what allows me to do this work.

“Every day, I feel the responsibility and honour that comes with the job. Walking through the gates of Leinster House and seeing our national flag above our parliament is a constant reminder of the trust the people of Waterford placed in me.”

Conor McGuinness TD

Who do you admire in politics or public life?

I have huge respect for anyone who puts their head above the parapet to make life better for their community, especially people for whom public life was not the obvious or easy path. I admire parents who find themselves advocating, campaigning, and, all too often, fighting for their children’s basic rights and services. That kind of leadership is rarely acknowledged but it is powerful and deeply inspiring.

I also hold enormous admiration for the medical personnel who have volunteered in Gaza in recent months and years. They have stepped into an bhearna bhaoil out of a profound commitment to humanity and the dignity of life. Their work on the ground, and their passionate and often heartbreaking advocacy for justice and peace when they return home, represents public service at its highest level.

What drew you to Sinn Féin?

Sinn Féin is a republican party in the fullest sense. We are absolutely serious about achieving an end to partition and building a united Ireland. For me, that is a historic imperative, not an abstract aspiration. Unity is the key to unlocking Ireland’s full potential, socially, economically, and culturally.

I joined Sinn Féin because it is a movement with a clear mission: to unite our country and to build a fair, equal, and ambitious society that serves all our people. I am motivated every day by the responsibility to contribute to that mission.

What are your key priorities for your constituency?

Housing is the single biggest issue facing people across Waterford. A whole generation is locked out of home ownership, families are experiencing homelessness at levels we have never seen before, couples are living apart, and parents are raising children in their own childhood bedrooms because they have no other option.

In the Gaeltacht and in coastal villages like Ardmore and Bonmahon, demographic decline is accelerating. Affordable housing is out of reach, rents are among the highest in the country, and rural couples with the ability to build on their own land are being blocked by an outdated planning regime.

My priorities are clear: deliver affordable homes, fix planning, invest in rural and coastal communities, protect our Gaeltacht, and ensure that Waterford receives its fair share of national investment. These issues are not abstract. They are shaping people’s lives every day.

What are your interests outside of work?

I have a young family, so most of my down time is spent exploring our beautiful county with my children. We make great use of our beaches, the Waterford Greenway, Mahon Falls, and Colligan Wood. Trips to Dungarvan library are a regular highlight. These simple moments, being outdoors, enjoying time together, and connecting with the place we call home, are an important balance to the pressures of political life.